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Pentax K-5 II vs Sony A580

Portability
60
Imaging
57
Features
82
Overall
67
Pentax K-5 II front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A580 front
Portability
64
Imaging
56
Features
82
Overall
66

Pentax K-5 II vs Sony A580 Key Specs

Pentax K-5 II
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Bump to 51200)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 760g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
  • Launched June 2013
  • Previous Model is Pentax K-5
Sony A580
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 12800 (Push to 25600)
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 599g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Revealed May 2011
  • Succeeded the Sony A100
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Pentax K-5 II vs Sony A580 Overview

The following is a extended review of the Pentax K-5 II and Sony A580, one is a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the K-5 II (16MP) and the A580 (16MP) is relatively well matched and they feature the same exact sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The K-5 II was announced 2 years after the A580 which is quite a significant gap as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Pentax K-5 II being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony A580 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving in to a more detailed comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the K-5 II scores against the A580 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K-5 II over the Sony A580

 K-5 II A580 
RevealedJune 2013May 2011Newer by 25 months

Reasons to pick Sony A580 over the Pentax K-5 II

 A580 K-5 II 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution922k921kClearer screen (+1k dot)

Common features in the Pentax K-5 II and Sony A580

 K-5 II A580 
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurements
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch screen Neither provides Touch screen

Pentax K-5 II vs Sony A580 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to travel with your camera often, you have to take into account its weight and measurements. The Pentax K-5 II provides external dimensions of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") and a weight of 760 grams (1.68 lbs) whilst the Sony A580 has proportions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 599 grams (1.32 lbs).

Examine the Pentax K-5 II and Sony A580 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are using during that time. Below is the front view over all size comparison of the K-5 II compared to the A580.

Pentax K-5 II vs Sony A580 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the K-5 II and A580 is 60 and 64 respectively.

Pentax K-5 II vs Sony A580 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K-5 II vs Sony A580 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is tough to visualise the gap between sensor dimensions only by checking technical specs. The image underneath will help give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the K-5 II and A580.

As you have seen, the two cameras enjoy the same exact sensor sizing and the same resolution therefore you should expect similar quality of photos but you will want to take the release date of the products into consideration. The fresher K-5 II will have an advantage in sensor tech.

Pentax K-5 II vs Sony A580 sensor size comparison

Pentax K-5 II vs Sony A580 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K-5 II vs Sony A580 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K-5 II as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A580 as a Portrait photography camera
74
you can focus manually
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detect focusing
delivers RAW files
73
has manual focus
megapixel count good (16MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Pentax K-5 II as a Street photography camera
Sony A580 as a Street photography camera
66
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
weather sealing
screen does not articulate
75
screen tilts
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax K-5 II
Sports photography with Sony A580
78
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
offers tracking focus
weather sealing
comes with phase detect AF
78
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features tracking autofocus
great battery life (1,050 per charge)
sensor has phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K-5 II Travel photography advice
Sony A580 Travel photography advice
65
weather sealing
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
flash built-in
does not contain selfie friendly display
60
great battery life (1,050 shots)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
built-in flash
lack of Timelapse function
does not have selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax K-5 II as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A580 as a Landscape photography camera
78
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
screen size is good (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (16 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
weather sealing
73
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (16 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
great battery life (1,050 per charge)
has dual storage slots
lack of Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K-5 II Vlogging factors
Sony A580 Vlogging factors
33
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
offers face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
does have microphone jack
does not contain selfie friendly display
34
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detection focusing
good video quality (1920 x 1080 pixels)
includes external microphone jack
does not have selfie friendly display
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Pentax K-5 II vs Sony A580 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K-5 II and Sony A580
 Pentax K-5 IISony Alpha DSLR-A580
General Information
Company Pentax Sony
Model Pentax K-5 II Sony Alpha DSLR-A580
Type Advanced DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2013-06-04 2011-05-26
Body design Mid-size SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by Prime II Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.7 x 15.7mm 23.5 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 372.1mm² 366.6mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 16 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4928 x 3264 4912 x 3264
Highest native ISO 12800 12800
Highest enhanced ISO 51200 25600
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Lowest enhanced ISO 80 -
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 11 15
Cross focus points 9 3
Lens
Lens mount Pentax KAF2 Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 151 143
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3" 3"
Display resolution 921k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Display tech TFT LCD monitor -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.61x 0.53x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 7.0 frames per sec 7.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 13.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, High speed, Rear curtain and Wireless Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (25 fps), 1280 x 720 (25, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (25, 30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (60, 29.97 fps), 1440 x 1080 (30fps), 640 x 424 (29.97 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 760g (1.68 lb) 599g (1.32 lb)
Dimensions 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 82 80
DXO Color Depth score 23.8 23.8
DXO Dynamic range score 14.1 13.3
DXO Low light score 1235 1121
Other
Battery life 980 images 1050 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model D-LI90 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes ( 2 or 12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One Two
Pricing at release $830 $848